Tech entrepreneurship is a powerful force for addressing societal problems and opportunities. Generally speaking, underrepresented tech entrepreneurs are inadequately recruited, developed and supported. TechTown Detroit has benchmarked some of the best practices for creating inclusive tech entrepreneurship environments in three distinct locations: Atlanta, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; and Miami, Florida. Our findings indicate that the organizations that support these spaces employ intentional strategies to create inclusive environments. Five strategies are highlighted here: community organizing, cultural signifying, a trauma-informed approach, relevant representation, and critical race theory.

This research project was funded by VentureWell.